Phoenix ship departure delayed again after employee wage complaint

A complaint sent to Transport Canada by the 17 sailors aboard the Phoenix — many of whom are Indian — alleging three months of non-payment has prevented the 186-metre-long ship from leaving port once again.

The ship, known in a previous life as the Phoenix Sun, had been docked in Sorel-Tracy since November 2012.

A group of Turkish sailors lived on the boat while arguing with their employer over non-payment of salaries.

The ship was sold to Holborn Shipping in November 2014 for just over $682,000. Holborn then sold it to London Bridge Shipping Ltd., based in the Cayman Islands.

The Phoenix finally left Sorel-Tracy on May 22, destined for Dubai where it is supposed to undergo extensive repairs. However, it only made it as far as Quebec City before the engine broke down.

The ship was scheduled to depart again on Friday morning.

However, on Thursday night Transport Canada received a complaint from the 17 sailors aboard the ship alleging they had not been paid by their employer for the last three months.

Transport Canada blocked the ship from leaving port while it investigates under the Marine International Labour Convention.

The ship was moved from the port to just off the southern edge of Île d'Orléans to make space for other ships at the port.